Obama earmarks for org headed by former priest listed on 'Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct' list
Monday, September 8, 2008 at 12:40PM (Washington, D. C.)—Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) requested two earmarks totaling $2,750,000 for an organization founded by a former priest listed on the report, ‘Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors.’ The report was issued by the Office of the Chancellor, Archdiocese of Chicago. Obama requested federal funding for AIDSCARE, Inc., described on Obama’s government website as “a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that provides housing and care for homeless children, families and adults living with advanced HIV/AIDS in the Chicago Area [sic].” AIDSCARE was founded by James V. Flosi. The Chicago Tribune described Flosi as, “a former Roman Catholic Priest…accused of molesting a minor…”
The Tribune said the molestation allegedly took place in 1980 when Flosi was an assistant pastor at Holy Name Cathedral. Flosi resigned from the priesthood in 1992.
The Archdiocese of Chicago noted the report containing Flosi’s name lists “priests…no longer in public ministry because an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor has been substantiated.”
Flosi’s name and additional information are also included at the website for BishopAccountability.org., a group dedicated to documenting the abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church. Anne Doyle, who serves on the group’s board of directors, said by phone from Boston, “This is a huge crisis…the church has washed its hands of responsibility.” Doyle’s group has been endorsed by the Attorney General of New Hampshire Kelly A. Ayotte, priests, attorneys and others.
The Tribune reported Monday the archdiocese of Chicago agreed to pay $13 million to settle claims brought by people who were children when they were abused by priests.
Flosi is listed by the state of Illinois as a lobbyist for AIDSCARE, Inc. In June, Obama released a list of numerous earmarks he requested and published them on his U.S. Senate home page.
(Text copyright Kay B. Day/2008)
Reader Comments (2)
Very interesting, I wonder how many more shady characters are going to keep popping up.
Not many if the media continues to keep their heads in the sand. Thanks for stopping by and commenting--Kay